How Will Phil Mickelson's Season Play Out?

Phil Mickelson's dream of winning his first U.S. Open and completing his career Grand Slam ended quickly at Pinehurst.

He shot two rounds of 70-73 while Kaymer posted 65-65. Mickelson wasn't the only one to be out of contention early, but the inconsistencies that have plagued him since winning the 2013 British Open were there again, giving him no chance at Pinehurst No. 2.

He admitted achieving that goal was a long shot coming in, but one he was working toward.

Mickelson has dropped to 10th in Ryder Cup points and, unless he makes a major turnaround, his participation for Team USA in the fall might depend on being a captain's choice.

Does Martin Kaymer's Greatness Have Any Limits?

Charlie Riedel/Associated PressMartin Kaymer's victory in the U.S. Open is a big step for him.

Remember when Henrik Stenson tore up the European and PGA Tours in the last half of 2013?

The tournaments he didn't win, he contended in. He won season-ending events on both sides of the ocean and won both money lists.

And he did so without winning a major. He also accomplished all of that while Tiger Woods was in the process of winning five times—none of them majors, either.

Is this the sort of thing we might be looking at with Kaymer? He's had six straight top-30 finishes on the PGA Tour, including wins in two of his last three starts. Those wins just happened to be the Players Championship and the U.S. Open.

He's played just twice on the European Tour, his best finish there a T12 in the BMW Championship.

Kaymer looks very strong, just like Stenson. He's had a great season already. Who knows what else he might accomplish?

Have We Put Too Much Pressure on Jordan Spieth?

Winning golf tournaments on the PGA Tour is hard. Winning major championships is even harder.

The fact that there are only four majors per year makes winning them even tougher.

It's been generally assumed that based on how Spieth played in 2013, going from no status to contending in the Tour Championship and playing on the U.S. Presidents Cup team that he'd win at least one major in 2014.

He was in the hunt until halfway through the Masters, played well for a long time in the Players and has posted three top-20 finishes since, including a T17 at Pinehurst. His last three rounds on No. 2 were 70-72-73, not the progression you'd like to see if you're trying to win.

Maybe it's too much to expect a 20-year-old—yes, a very talented 20-year old, but still a kid who isn't legally an adult in many places—to be able to win golf's biggest events.

Spieth is going to go on to have a very nice season (he's won $3.4 million already), even if he doesn't win a major.

Jimmy Walker Is No Joke

When Jimmy Walker came out of nowhere to win three times by the first week in February after 188 starts without a win, it was a great story.

But could anyone have expected him to stay in the top position in the FedEx Cup points race through the U.S. Open? Maybe his parents and close friends, but the 34-year-old was a virtual unknown without a great deal of previous success.

Walker, however, has kept right on rolling. He still maintains just less than a 300-point lead in the points race, thanks in no small part to nine top-25 finishes since his last win.

Tiger Woods' Return

USA TODAY SportsWill Tiger Woods be back in time for the British Open?

Tiger Woods' streak since his last major title is officially six years.

Those who follow golf closely knew that already, but if you were watching the U.S. Open, you were reminded of the fact.

There are plenty of folks who believe golf needs Tiger back—and quickly. Television ratings in golf's biggest events are down, understandable without the then-No. 1 player in the world and a struggling Phil Mickelson.

Woods' return will solve some of those issues, but only if he's able to come back at something close to the level he showed last year.

Is Jason's Day Coming?

David Cannon/Getty ImagesJason Day got to experience all of Pinehurst No. 2.

After a very good start, 2014 had begun to look like a lost season for Jason Day.

The talented Australian contended a couple times last year and had great hope for 2014. When he won the World Golf Championships-Accenture Match Play Championship in February, those hopes seemed to be on the way to being realized.

But the combination of wrist and thumb injuries have plagued him since then.

That's why it had to be heartening for him to post a pair of 68s and finish in a T4 in the U.S. Open.

Will Drama Return to Majors This Year?

Andrew Redington/Getty ImagesThe scoreboard says it all: The U.S. Open was a runaway.

Let's face it, the first two majors of the year have been duds in terms of theatrics and drama.

Watson put it into cruise control on the back nine at Augusta National Golf Club and captured his second Masters championship.

Kaymer took all the excitement out of the U.S. Open at Pinehurst No. 2 by defying all logic and shooting a pair of 65s, then going on sleepy walks around Donald Ross' masterpiece both Saturday and Sunday.

The PGA Championship is next, returning to Valhalla Golf Club in Kentucky, where the PGA was held in 2000. Remember that one? Woods had to go to a playoff to beat relative unknown Bob May.

I'm thinking that based on the history of these upcoming sites, excitement is just around the corner.

Is Rickie Fowler About to Go Big-Time?

David Goldman/Associated PressRickie Fowler hopes to some day be the other golfer in this picture.

There's been something of a learning curve on the PGA Tour for Rickie Fowler.

Armed with a golf bag filled with hype and a very good amateur career, much was expected of the tour's most flashy dresser.

He's won once but has three top fives in 18 major championships, including a T5 at the Masters and a T2 in the U.S. Open this year.

It sure looks and feels like this kid—yes, he's only 25—is about to do something very special. He struck very few bad shots at Pinehurst, and considering he's been working with a new coach, Butch Harmon, since December, his game and swing seem very good.